5 facts about Viktor Bout, nicknamed the merchant of death

FLY – Viktor Bout’s name rose to prominence when Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners. Viktor Bout is a famous Russian arms dealer.

He earned the nickname Death Dealer due to his involvement in the international arms trade. Here are some surprising facts about Viktor Bout:

1. Part of the prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia

The United States and Russia exchanged prisoners on December 8, 2022. It is known that US basketball star, Brittney Griner, who is imprisoned in Russia, was exchanged with a Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, who is imprisoned in the United States.

Bout was extradited from Thailand to the United States in 2010, following an undercover operation by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 2008.

2. Have a famous nickname

Bout has a well-known nickname, namely the merchant of death or the merchant of death. The man born in Tajikistan, January 13, 1967, has become a world-renowned arms dealer.

Bout is known to have sold arms to various countries to rebel groups. He ran an arms business after the breakup of the Soviet Union. The collapse of the Soviet Union has become a boon for Bout.

The reason is that he obtained 60 old military aircraft from the Soviet Union which he used to supply the world with weapons.

3. Sentenced to 25 years in prison